A developer's introduction to Google Android

Ars takes a close look at the technology underlying Google's Linux-based Android platform. From the platform fundamentals to the development experience, details inside...

As Google originally promised, things improved dramatically after
the launch of the G1. The source code for the entire platform is now open,
and Google has published extensive documentation that describes how
independent developers can contribute to the project. Those changes in
the development process make Android a truly open and participatory
project. Patches from external contributors have already been accepted,
and Google is also working closely with upstream projects like Harmony.

After the source code was opened, there was still one critical weak spot: the T-Mobile G1,
Android's flagship handset, is a closed device that uses code signing
to restrict changes to the platform. There is no way to flash the G1
with modified images, which means that platform hackers have no
practical way to test their changes on physical hardware. This
limitation was an immense disappointment, and it undermined a lot of
the value of having an open mobile platform. To address this
deficiency, Google launched its own unlocked developer model
of the G1 handset. The hackable Google handset, which is available to
anyone who registers with the Android App Store, is a fully open device
that can be flashed and modified.

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The next major version of Android delivers some important features that
will help make the platform more appealing to mobile carriers and
hardware makers. One of the most important changes is the new on-screen
keyboard, which has opened the door for using Android on a whole new
class of devices. There are already several products under development
that will take advantage of this feature, including an upcoming media
tablet from Archos, a WiFi Skype tablet from GiiNii, and the HTC Magic, which is coming to Vodafone.

Google had better act fast to capitalize on Android's momentum, because
its window of opportunity is closing quickly. Microsoft is moving to
get its improved version of Windows Mobile ready to ship, some of the LiMo-compatible smartphone platforms such as ALP are getting closer to hitting the market, and Symbian will be royalty-free
soon. Google has a chance to be a major player in the mobile market.
The company will need to mature Android rapidly to stay competitive in
the growing smartphone ecosystem.